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It's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new ref, for me. Etc.
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What better way to celebrate the return of club football than by taking a peek at a juicy, certified authority of the officiating scene?
Select Group referee Michael ''Mike'' Jones (not to be confused with Oldham Athletic midfield-maestro, er, Michael ''Mike'' Jones) is a veteran of 125 Premier League and 99 Championship clashes - which means that today's game will be Mike's 100th in the second division. We should bake him a cake or something.
The 46-year-old from Cheshire last visited the MadStad at the back-end of last season's campaign: he was the man in the middle for our bore-draw with the Rams (hold that thought - a pattern is soon to develop. We love a tease at #RefWatch).
Mike has maintained a fairly low-profile so far in the 2014/2015 season. 2 Premier League outings represent his only match action this term, both high-scoring draws: Everton 2-2 Leicester, followed by Newcastle 3-3 Crystal Palace.
Within that stunted time-frame, he's still been able to administer an average of 3 yellows per match. He's yet to produce a red card, nor has he seen it necessary to point to the penalty spot.
So as you can see, Mike oversees his fair share of shared-points (what a mouthful). History also points towards this conclusion: in the 15 career Royals matches Mike has to his name, 8 of them have been draws.
Ho-hum.
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On a parting note, be sure to vote in the (Graham) Poll at the bottom of the page.